Self-assembly of noble metal nanocrystals: Fabrication, optical property, and application

SummaryNoble metal nanocrystals (NCs) have become one of the hottest fields in nanoscience due to their unique/strong interactions with extra electromagnetic field, which are known as localized surface plasmon resonance. Self-assembly of noble metal NCs into the complex hierarchical nanostructures with a controllable manner could provide a promising way to obtain metamaterials with the collective optical properties and further realize their potential applications. Here we summarize the state-of-art progress in this exciting and dynamic research field, and the major challenges in self-assembly of noble metal NCs are also discussed.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (146 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► The article reviews the recent progress in self-assembly of noble metal nanocrystals. ► How to obtain self-assembled noble metal nanostructures. ► The collective optical properties of these self-assembled structures. ► Future challenges for self-assembled noble metal nanostructures.